In this post I will show you how to make cold chamomile tea. This is the best chamomile tea to ease your mind and body into calmness without having to drink something hot. It is perfect for summer, or for those who simply run hot. Below are some answers to common questions about chamomile tea, and the recipe is at the bottom of the page.
Does chamomile tea have caffeine?
No, chamomile is considered an herbal tea, which means it doesn’t contain any caffeine. It is used as a nervine to help relax and ease sleep. People use it to treat mild insomnia, and some have better dream recall after a chamomile-induced sleep.
How long to steep chamomile tea:
Chamomile tea is best steeped for at least ten minutes. If you are making cold chamomile tea, you will want to steep it for at least eight hours.
How to make chamomile tea from plant:
Remove the flower heads from the stems, as this is what you will use to make the tea from. Measure these out into 1-2 teaspoons for every 10 fl oz of water. Each 10 fl oz will be one serving.
What does chamomile tea taste like?
Chamomile tea tastes herbaceous and floral. It gives a slight impression of dirt, apples, and is mildly sweet. Most people like it, but some find it bitter or want to add more flavor.
How to make chamomile tea taste better:
If you don’t like the taste of chamomile tea, you can improve the taste by the addition of several common ingredients:
- Honey – This is a very nice sweetener
- Lemon juice – You can squeeze some juice into it or add sliced lemon for a more mild flavor
- Lavender – This smells intoxicating and is very relaxing
- Mint – This herb has a nice calming effect and can ease digestion
- Rose – What a beautiful fragrance! It can be added with rose syrup, rose extract, or rose petals
You can add these to fresh hot chamomile tea, or you can add them into the pitcher of cold brew chamomile tea when you put it into the refrigerator, which I will show you how to make below.
How to make chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is usually made by pouring boiling water over chamomile aerial parts. What I will show you is how to make cold chamomile tea for those hot summer nights when you want to sleep without adding any heat to your body. You can, of course, pour hot tea over ice, but the cold brew method below will result in a nice smooth extraction. Plus, if you want to add other flavors like the ones listed above, they will have plenty of time to blend and macerate with the chamomile, making a beautiful fragrance.
Recipe for the Best Chamomile Tea for Summer (Cold Chamomile Tea)
Equipment
- Refrigerator
- Pitcher
- Mesh sieve, strainer, cheesecloth, etc.
Ingredients
- Chamomile flower heads (4-8 tsp or about 20-40 mL)
- Water (1 qt or about 1 L)
- Optional extra flavoring materials (my suggestions are lemon juice, lavender, mint, rose, and honey. If you use honey, it’s best to add it later)
Instructions
- Prepare 4-8 tsp of chamomile flowers.
- Put the flower heads in the pitcher. If you are adding any other ingredients to your tea, now is the time to add them.
- Put the water in the pitcher.
- Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
And of course, if you don’t have time for this and you need chamomile tea NOW, you can make it like normal and just pour it over ice!
I hope this post has helped you learn and understand how to make cold chamomile tea. If you like it, subscribe to Herbs and Brew below!